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Why High Voltage dropped MotionPlus from The Conduit
We've all been under the impression that The Conduit would feature MotionPlus, but it turns out that High Voltage has tried it, and decided to take it out of the game. Why, you ask? Well, High Voltage's VP and chief creative officer Eric Nofsinger tells 1UP that Nintendo provided them "with early hardware and good developer support," but when they put it into The Conduit, it "didn't really add anything for our primarily ranged combat." Nofsinger also got a bit more technical, adding that High Voltage hoped MotionPlus "would allow for better off screen IR tracking." Instead, Nofsinger says the device "seems to lend itself more naturally for hand to hand combat" and that it "doesn't feel like an optimal fit for how we had designed our moment to moment gameplay." Well, that explains it. Sure, we want as many features as we can get our hands on in a game, but if it doesn't improve on the experience and just feels tacked on for the sake of being a bullet point on the back of a box, it's not worth it. It looks like High Voltage agrees.%Gallery-25003%
The Conduit to use Wii Speak, new trailer sizzles with 'conspiracy'
It's been a while since we've seen anything out of High Voltage's little-shooter-that-could, The Conduit -- a problem that was expediently rectified on last night's episode of GameTrailers TV. In addition to the revelation that the game won't support Wii MotionPlus but will allow users to chat via Wii Speak, the latest trailer for the shooter, titled "Conspiracy," was aired.In addition to showing a sizable chunk of gameplay, the trailer (which we've posted after the jump) gives further hints regarding the game's plot. Here's what we've pieced together: There's a conspiracy (Aliens? Illuminati? Grassy Knoll?), which appears to be causing protagonist Michael Ford to have a very bad day. Don your tinfoil hat, crank up the Alex Jones, and check out the trailer after the break.
Wiikly Wares: Evasive Space and Life Force
Today, we've got two new games. On the WiiWare side, there's Evasive Space, which is a shmup without all of the shooting. Then, on the Virtual Console, we've got ... a shmup. Man, they sure love flooding the Wii with shmups. If you want to try Evasive Space for free, remember we're giving it away for a few more hours. WiiWareEvasive Space (Yukes Company of America, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): Players take on the role of Konki the Stellar Guardian, who is charged with recovering stolen Constellation Stones that make up the heavens. Dr. Dark Matter and his space thieves have nabbed them, and players must navigate 20 dangerous time- and collection-based missions to get them back. Check out some screens in our gallery below.Virtual ConsoleLife Force (NES, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, 500 Wii Points): An arcade shmup ported to the NES in 1988, players must navigate the inside of a giant alien that is infected by a strain of bacteria, shooting down enemies and grabbing power-ups when they can.There's also a weird sort of riddle that Nintendo included in the press release this week. Find it after the break. Gallery: Evasive Space
Joyswag: Evasive Space (WiiWare) [update]
Update: The contest is closed. Keep an eye on your email, winners!Looking forward to next week's release of Evasive Space? So are we, which is why we've hooked up with Yuke's and High Voltage to gift four (4) lucky readers with their very own copy of the game. To get in on the action, simply follow the rules below: Leave us a comment telling us what your favorite WiiWare game is You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US You may enter once per day This entry period ends at 11:59AM ET on Monday, February 16. We'll randomly select 4 winners at that time to receive Evasive Space ($10). Please check your e-mail! For a list of complete rules, click here Best of luck to you all and thanks for reading!%Gallery-37316%
NYCC 09: The Conduit revisited; hands on a 'new' game
The Conduit is a story of hype because it is a story of hope. Not the interactive story (that might be about hope, too), but the story of the game's development. We won't rehash the dramatic rise to relevance of High Voltage Software's labor of love, but we certainly thought about it as we played a section of the game at New York Comic Con this weekend. The Conduit has a publisher -- finally -- in Sega, but it is still cherished for its grass roots origin. Technically, this was very much the same game we previewed back in October, but we couldn't help but notice the change taking place as we blasted through an alien invasion inside Sega's Comic Con booth.The Conduit has made it -- acquired by a major third-party publisher. Its chapter as indie orphan is over. Now, on the verge of release, it competes with any other title that reaches store shelves. We may want to hold onto the sentiment of victory (the little guy making it to the big show), but the game has changed. We must consider The Conduit from a different perspective. In fact, dual perspectives: How does The Conduit rate as a Wii game; and how does it rate as a contemporary first-person shooter? %Gallery-33787%
Prepare to evade space on February 16
Click image for more colorful screens It didn't make it to us in January as hoped, but a press release just hit our inbox, asking us to pass along the information that Evasive Space, the game that Yuke's and High Voltage have been collaborating on, is going to be available to download on February 16 for 1,000 Wii Points. A bit pricey? Sure, but for such an interesting and unique game (it's a shmup without all of the, uh, shmupping), we're willing to shell out and give it a try. What say you all?%Gallery-37316%
Wii Fanboy Review: High Voltage Hot Rod Show
High Voltage Software's High Voltage Hot Rod Show is an arcade racer fetching 1,000 Wii Points on WiiWare. Is it worth that price? How fun is it? These questions, and more, are answered in our review past the break. %Gallery-34273%
The Conduit: Then vs. now
High Voltage Software's The Conduit has an interesting backstory. It popped up out of nowhere back in April, giving hope of filling that unfilled void of mature first-person shooters for Wii, and remained without a publisher for about six months until Sega finally picked it up. Of course, what really sparked interest was the impressive, dare we say, not Wii-like visuals. The folks at Gametrailers have a video comparing an early and pre-rendered build to the game's current state. It's a fun -- if not too short -- before-and-after look at the FPS. See it for yourself after the break. The Conduit is expected to hit retail sometime this Spring.%Gallery-33787%
Retail and download releases for the week of January 19th
Another week, another slew of new gaming content for the Wii. This week, we've got two new WiiWare titles that we've all been waiting for, as well as one new Virtual Console game and a handful of retail releases. Hop past the break for this week's full list. Planning on getting anything? Let us know in the comments!%Gallery-34273%
New Conduit videos take us behind the scenes
Some really interesting videos for The Conduit have popped up over at IGN. Above, we have a developer commentary video, which talks about everything from enemy AI to the adaptive music system used in the game. As if that weren't enough, the other video, available past the break, shows how far the game has come in development. Amazing to see the game's roots and where it stands now as one of the prettiest titles we've ever laid eyes on. Head past the break and check it out.%Gallery-25003%
Rumor: 'Major' online Wii game ditching Friend Codes
Slipped in among the various topics covered in IGN's latest Nintendo Voice Chat podcast was an interesting little rumor: a "major online title" coming to Wii in 2009 won't require Friend Codes. How? Evidently the developer simply realized it could pull it off -- and, like most gamers, doesn't care for the restrictive system.Speculation as to what game IGN was referencing (which, according to the site, has already been announced) quickly brought up The Conduit, the upcoming FPS from High Voltage Software and Sega. Joystiq has confirmed via a source familiar with the title's development that it does, in fact, utilize the Friend Code system, and isn't the game in question. So, what is it then? Let the speculation commence. [Via N-Europe]
D3 Pub riding 'Ben 10' wave this holiday
D3 Publisher is boasting to MCV that versions of Ben 10: Protector of Earth for Wii, DS, PSP and PS2 have sold a collective 2.5 million copies worldwide. While not nearly as impressive as Gears of War 2's feat of selling 2 million in one week, we suspect the cost of development for Ben 10: PoE was quite a bit less (and D3's metric perhaps a bit lower). The title has been in the Top 40 UK software sales consistently since launching October 2007. This bravado is not without apt timing, of course, as the publisher is gearing up for the release of Ben 10: Alien Force in February. Expect mediocre reviews for the game and a hefty profit margin for D3 -- behold the power of a licensed IP.
Evasive Space site launches with new trailer
The official site for Evasive Space has launched and its chock full of gaming goodness for those looking to evade space. There's a new trailer (we've embedded it into the post above this text here), some screens, and even some info on the various game modes available. After you check out the trailer above, be sure to head on over and check out the site here.%Gallery-37316%[Via press release]
Sega bringing the big guns to New York Comic Con
Click for more screens. Do you live in the New York area? Want to play The Conduit, MadWorld, and The House of the Dead: Overkill before they release? Well, you might want to head to the New York Comic Con, because Sega is bringing them to the show next year.The New York Comic Con takes place February 6-8 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. Aside from the AAA titles, Sega also promises "zombie surprises," whatever that is. Disgusting, zombified limbs as souvenirs? We can only hope so.%Gallery-25003%[Via Joystiq]
Wii Warm Up: Top title for 2009?
So, yesterday we had some talk about 2009 and how there are plenty of great games releasing on the Wii. What we want to know this morning is what is the top 2009 title for you? What are you looking forward to most next year? We know it's a lot to ask, what with everything that is due to release.Is it The Conduit? Is it MadWorld? Sin & Punishment 2? Well, out with it!
Nintendo confident core will be satisfied in 2009
Well, we would think, given that there are a bunch of really unique and fun-looking games coming down the pipe next year. MadWorld, Sin & Punishment 2, The Conduit, and Punch-Out!! are just a few of the games that the core are likely excited for. "I think that next year you're going to see the tide turn a little bit, in terms of people realizing that the Wii can have something of interest for everybody," said Cammie Dunaway in a MTV Multiplayer interview. "So, yeah, I think next year is going to be a pretty good year in terms of the breadth of offerings that are going to be out there for a bunch of folks."The full interview with Cammie hasn't been published yet, but we'll let you know when it does. Frankly, we're interested in hearing more from her on these games, because, well, we're as excited for them as you are![Via CVG]
Joystiq hands-on: The Conduit
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Hands_on_with_The_Conduit_at_Nintendo_Fall_Media_Summit_08'; In terms of playable software at Nintendo's Fall Media Summit, none received as much attention from attendees as High Voltage Software's The Conduit – and for good reason. The game already had some buzz behind it going into the event, but our anticipation for it reached new heights upon watching a developer walkthough of the latest build.The Media Summit version of The Conduit showcased a never-before-seen Cold War bunker level, and High Voltage's staff was eager to show off tech like depth of field, normal mapping, newly implemented high-res textures, and a number of other things that had us saying, "This looks really good for a Wii game ... but how does it play?" The answer to that question can be found after the break.%Gallery-33787%
Update: Nintendo will NOT publish The Conduit
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Nintendo_will_publish_The_Conduit'; [Update: Whoops! Looks like Ms. Dunaway misspoke – The Conduit is not an "exclusive first-party shooter" ... it's an "exclusive first-person shooter." D'oh! Still no word on a publisher but we've got an email into the cats at High Voltage. Our original post is tucked safely below the break.] Gallery: The Conduit
The Conduit's publisher soon to be announced
High Voltage Software said at PAX that they have a publishing deal for The Conduit, which they "may announce in the next two weeks." We completely don't get the use of a publisher's identity as a tease -- although we're talking about it right now on a fairly popular gaming site, so maybe we do.Chris Kohler spent some time with the demo of the game, declaring the control customizations "excellent," though the default control scheme was more than sufficient for him. Aside from a general lack of enthusiasm about the environments, which look "flat, boring, and basic at this point," Kohler enjoyed the demo, which was mostly focused on shooting some aliens. He left the demo behind after dying to a boss creature -- the game is "definitely a challenge."%Gallery-25003%
Classic control scheme for High Voltage's other game
The Conduit, The Conduit, The Conduit -- that's all we media types bang on about when it comes to High Voltage. But the Illinois-based studio also has a WiiWare game in the pipeline: the scarcely covered Animales de la Muerte, a bloodthirsty shooter set in a Mexican zoo that has been overrun by zombie animals. Let's say that again, shall we: a Mexican zoo that has been overrun by zombie animals. It looks a bit like Samba de Amigo crossed with the gore of MadWorld, and if that's not potential GOTY material, we have no idea what is.And it gets better. High Voltage's Micah Skaritka just confirmed to WiiWare World that Animales would feature Classic Controller support, allowing players to move with the left analog stick and fire with the right, a configuration that Skaritka compares to Smash TV (but which also reminded us of Geometry Wars or Robotron: 2084). Meanwhile, actions that would usually require a shake of the Wiimote (Whip, Throw, Rescue, and Activate) have been mapped to buttons. A welcome addition!%Gallery-28238%[Via Go Nintendo]
